San Francisco Frontiers - 'Beer tastes better' for Eramsus after win over Irish

For Erasmus, who had a spell as Munster boss, it was his first ever win as a coach at the ground and the first by a Springboks side since 2012.

South Africa, whose only defeat on their way to the 2023 World Cup triumph was at the hands of Ireland in their pool match, ran out deserved winners though they were helped by serial Irish indiscipline.

English referee Matthew Carley red-carded James Ryan and sin-binned Sam Prendergast, Jack Crowley, Andrew Porter and Paddy McCarthy.

"It was a great win against a team like Ireland, who have dominated against us since we've been together as a group," said Erasmus.

"If you look back at the last five games we've played, they are still three-two up against us, so we won't get carried away with the result, but the beer tastes a little better."

Farrell rejected the suggestion Ireland's first-half performance had been shambolic, with Ryan's 20-minute red card, and Prendergast, Crowley and Porter sin-binned.

Farrell preferred to term it "chaotic".

"It was a mad game," Farrell told Irish broadcaster RTE.

"I have never seen anything like that before and I've seen many things."

Farrell, who insisted despite a disappointing Six Nations campaign and defeats by New Zealand and South Africa in November that the team is in "a good place", said the fact the match ran for over two hours reflected his assessment.

"To say it was stop-start is an understatement with all the carry on with the cards, the stoppages for the scrums etc," said the 50-year-old Englishman.

- 'Chaotic for sure' -

Many will feel Carley should have sin-binned Springbok fly-half Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu early in the first half when he turned and put his shoulder to Tommy O'Brien's head.

South Africa's coaching team had claimed their team had been unfairly treated on the tour, beating both France and Italy in previous weeks despite playing with just 14 men.

Farrell played a straight bat when asked whether he thought those complaints had had an impact.

"Well, we brought it up with the referees before the game and they said that would never be a factor, obviously, because this is a separate game," he said.

"I'll let you be the judge of that."

Farrell was far from disappointed with his side thanks to their plucky defence which managed to keep their hopes alive of grinding out an unlikely victory.

"We were down to 12 men at the start of the second half then 13 and 14 and to come out with a scoreline of 6-5 in the second half, it is still a loss but I am unbelievably proud of that."

Ireland captain Caelan Doris also praised his teammates for their gutsy display.

"It was chaotic for sure," said the 27-year-old backrow forward.

"However, we definitely showed the character we asked for."

Erasmus and the squad had a second reason to enjoy the beer as hooker Malcolm Marx was named world player of the year just after the match finished.

The 31-year-old said it had been a tough day at the office.

"Having that many scrums wasn't pleasing on the neck, but they are a quality side with a quality pack," he said.

"So obviously, we had to grind it out and apply as much pressure as we could to get the rewards from it.

D.Parker--SFF